What are the three tumor markers for breast cancer?

Under normal circumstances, the three tumor markers for breast cancer typically refer to cancer antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and cancer antigen 27.29 (CA 27.29). These are assessed through blood tests to evaluate tumor marker levels in patients with breast cancer. The details are as follows:

1. Cancer Antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3)

CA 15-3 is a glycoprotein commonly used to assess the malignancy and disease progression of breast cancer. However, CA 15-3 may not be sensitive in the early stages of breast cancer, and its levels can also be influenced by other factors such as inflammation, benign breast conditions, and other tumors.

2. Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA)

CEA is a widely used tumor marker in cancer detection, including breast cancer. However, CEA is not specific to breast cancer and may also be elevated in non-cancerous conditions such as smoking and inflammation.

3. Cancer Antigen 27.29 (CA 27.29)

CA 27.29 is a more specific marker primarily used to monitor treatment response and risk of recurrence in breast cancer. It can be used to simultaneously track disease progression and therapeutic response in patients with breast cancer.

It is recommended that, in addition to the three breast tumor markers, imaging tests such as CT scans and chest X-rays should also be performed when diagnosing breast tumors.